ProAudio Review - April 2008 - (Page 24)

STUDIO | REVIEW by Steve Murphy ally configured for non-destructive AFL (postfader, post-pan) soloing, but a switch located internally on each channel's circuit board moves its solo bus tap to pre-fader (PFL). The preamp input section at the top of each channel strip provides controls for gain, mic/line selection, 48-volt phantom power and polarity reverse. An input reverse button swaps the line input and monitor section input signals, the primary purpose of which is to allow use of the full set of sends and the EQ section for mix downs with a minimum of board or patch reconfiguration. Certainly one of the star attractions of the Toft ATB is its equalizer section modeled on the original Trident Series 80B. Its four bands – each capable of +/-15 dB of gain change – are comprised of two shelving filters that offer a choice of two fixed-frequency turnover points each (8/12 kHz, and 60/120 Hz), and Toft Audio Designs Series ATB Analog Console Ok kids, gather around while I tell you the tale of The Little Console That Could The model designation “Series ATB” that Malcolm Toft bestowed upon this ambitious, affordable and impressively adorned analog console line draws a less-than-subtle connection to the 1980s-era Series 80B large-format analog console by Trident Audio Designs, the respected UK console company Toft founded back in 1972. While I can't imagine anyone is under the illusion that the project-studiopriced ATB console range is the next generation of any of the storied Trident console lines (and perhaps the factor-of-10 relative reduction in cost from the last Series 80 to the ATB was the result of a clerk's pricing gun error?), there's no way to miss the clear influence of the Series 80 pedigree. The ATB does include several largeformat features and provides plenty of bang for the buck, but what I like equally well is that its has great potential to reinvigorate the semi-stagnant eight-bus market with its unique personality. | FEATURES The Toft Audio Designs Series ATB is an inline, eight-bus console available in 16-, 24and 32-channel frame sizes (listing for $4,499, $5,499 and $6,999 respectively). Unfortunately for the manufacturer and board owners alike, both options have suffered delays and are not available as of this writing. From what I can gather, the initial run of meters is not far off, but it seems that an OEM issue on the Digital I/O has scuttled the effort to date and the company is in the process of developing an alternative. The console has 100mm mono faders for all input channels. To the right of each channel fader the routing assignment buttons and simple two-stage LED metering providing signal present and nearing-peak indication. Immediately above the channel faders are a center-detented pan knob, mute button with LED and a solo button. The ATB ships glob- APPLICATIONS Studio, project studio KEY FEATURES 16, 24 or 32 channel strip input modules; six aux busses; eight submaster groups; EQ derrived from the Trident Series 80; full in-line monitoring; modular per-channel PCB construction with through-hole and socketed components for easier maintenance PRICE $4,499 (16-channels), $5,499 (24channels) and $6,999 (32-channel) CONTACT PMI Audio | ☎ 877-563-6335 ➲ www.pmiaudio.com two semi-parametric mid-bands with slightly overlapping frequency ranges (100 Hz to 1.5 kHz and 1 kHz to 15 kHz). Also provided are an 80 Hz high-pass filter and EQ section bypass switch. The full EQ section can be moved into the channel's inline monitoring path via the "EQ to Mon" button adjacent to the monitor rotary fader, pan and mute controls. Likewise, the "Aux 5/6 to Mon" button allows the pair of aux sends to be placed in the monitor path (pre/post selection conveys to the monitor fader). There are six mono auxiliary sends available on each input channel, with sends two through six pre-/post-fader selectable and send one fixed at pre-fader. The six send bus master level controls are located at the top of the central control section and the corresponding send output jacks (balanced 1/4-inch) can be found on the rear panel along with the rest of the console's I/O connections. The ATB's generous brace of eight stereo effects returns, each with a stereo level and pan knob plus mute button, are located just under the TOFT continues on page 26 ➤ 24 | ProAudio Review | April 2008 Subscribe to the Digital Edition of Pro Audio Review http://www.myparmag.com www.proaudioreview.com http://www.pmiaudio.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.myparmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - April 2008

ProAudio Review - April 2008 Contents A Little More Recognition Please Studio News and New Products API 1608 16-Channel Analog Console TASCAM X-48 Digital Audio Workstation SSL Matrix Super Analogue Console Toft Audio Design Series ATB Analog Console KRK Systems Exposé E8B Powered Monitor Broadcast News and New Products ZOOM H2 Portable Digital Recorder Producing Surround Sound at 50th Grammy Awards JBL LSR4312SP Linear Spatial Reference Powered Subwoofer Audio Production For Gaming Euphonix S5 Fusion Digital Post Production Console NAB Hot Gear Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Live Production Console Go To A Show! Contracting News and New Products Studio Consoles Studio Wireless Microphones Alicia Keys “Superwoman”

ProAudio Review - April 2008

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